Al-Quds al-Arabi (London): Olmert: Direct negotiations in weeks to get Damascus out of 'axis of evil' – It was revealed yesterday that much progress has been made in indirect negotiations between the Syrians and Israelis with Turkish mediation, and that direct talks will be launched within the next few weeks. Sources quoted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as telling European ambassadors in Tel Aviv that the Israeli aim of reaching peace with Syria is to get Damascus out of the "axis of evil," led by Iran.
As-Safir (Lebanon): Michel Suleiman to Safir: Salvation, construction are everyone's task – Army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, due to be elected president in parliament on Sunday, told As-Safir he alone cannot save the country, saying this was everyone's task - politicians and people alike. Suleiman said he wants the politicians to have enough will to achieve real national partnership to build a state that accommodates all.
Al-Arab al-Yawm (Jordan): Lebanese accord provides break, not solution – The accord reached in Qatar managed to defuse the Lebanese crisis from erupting into a civil war and will calm the situation until next year's parliamentary elections; but it leaves deep divisions in the country without a solution. Analysts predicted that calm will likely prevail for the next year or two, but warned that explosive issues remain, such as Hezbollah's weapons and Lebanon's need to get out of the confrontation between the Iranian-Syrian alliance and the U.S.-Saudi axis.
Al-Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): McCain seeks support of hateful pastor who insults the prophet and religion – Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain called for the support of an evangelist who calls for destroying Muslims and describes Prophet Muhammad as the "spokesman for Satan's evil conspiracy." McCain sought the support of this Zionist pastor of Ohio, Rod Parsley. In a campaign speech in Cincinnati, McCain described Parsley as "one of the great leaders of America, a moral compass and spiritual guide."
Al-Khaleej (United Arab Emirates): Two occupation massacres kill 22 Iraqis – American occupation forces in Iraq carried out two massacres in Baghdad and Biji, in which 22 Iraqi people were killed, including two children and a journalist working for a television channel belonging to the party of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. This came as the government forces, backed by the occupation, continued a crackdown, arresting 85 gunmen and suspects.